Bleaching machine



Nov. 12, 1929. L. P. TENCA BLEACHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, .1928 e Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR '1 out 5 P. T nta (Arm 9 14k ATTORNEYS Nov. 12, 1929. P. TENCA BLEAGHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28. 1928 QM h m \MM NM n 4% mm way Q mm 3m Sm Mlu fl l I. =1 I JW 'Nov. 12, 1929 L. P. TENCA BLEAGHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1928 6 Shes Y ra-Sheet ATTORNEYS Nov. 12, 1929.

L. P. TENCA BLEACHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Loui. s R Tchca ATTORNEY 5 Nov. 12, 1929.

BLEACHINQ" MACHINE Filed Ncv'. 28, 1928 6 SheetvSheet 5 m us INVENTOR ham is RTencd ATTORNEYS L. P. TENCA 1,735,146

I Nov. 12, 1929. L. P. TENCA BLEACHING MACHINE 1 e sheets-sheet 6 Filed NOV. 28, 1928 INVENTOR l. quis P; Th03 BY W 1 We C .a

ATTORNEYS method of bleaching stage of the process may be controlled at,

showing in Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS r. TENC'A, or cnnvnunn, onro,

'rIon, or cnnvnnann, OHIO,

BLEACHING MACHINE Applicatioh filed November 28, 1928. Serial No. 822,805.

arranged on skein rods of special design.

The skein rods are supported on slow moving laterally spaced conveyin elements which support the ends of the ro s with the skeins positioned between the conveying elements.

15 The skeins are thus carried successively through sprays of various chemical solutions,

are washed at intervals, and are finally treated with a water and oil mixture or emulsion to leave the yarn in a marketable condition.

20 The rods are then removed from the conveyd holder taken substantially on line 11-11 of ing elements and the skeins are removed an sent to a dryer.

An important obiect of the invention is to reduce manual abor in the process of- 5 bleaching and thus effect a more economical method of treatment.

Another object is to provide a yarn bleaching apparatus in which the skeins of yarn are mechanically carried through the various bleaching at a predetermined rate become tangled.

Another object is to provide a mechanical yarns such that each will either'separately or collectively by the operator in charge without interrupting the continuity of the process. 7

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bleaching machine with parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a bleaching machine with parts broken away, and

particular the conveying. mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the bleaching machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. his a longitudinal section through a portion of the bleaching machine including the discharging end; also the driving mecha- IllSm.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the remaining portion of the bleaching machine, including the feed end.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the machine taken substantially on line 66 in Fig. 2.

Fig. machine taken substantially on line 7-7 0 Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through the machine taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 7. 4

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the end of a skein rod with parts broken away.

Fig. 10 is an enlar ed view of a skein rod holder being part the conveying mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a section through the skein rod 7 is a transverse section through the Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a typical friction pad holder.

I Fig. 13 is a view showing a spray pan fitted with a baflle. s

Fig. 14 is a vertical section through a spray pan and bafile taken on line 14 14 of Fi 13.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view 0 the spray pans and collecting trays which are located in the bleaching machine proper; also the storage tanks for the various chemical solutions together with the necessary pumps, connecting pipe and valves.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the bleaching apparatus is provided with a supporting frame which has along opposite sides thereof supporting standards or legs which are connected adjacent their bases by cross-ties 2 and which support above the cross-ties lower and upper conveyor housings 3 and 4 respectively. Attached to the upper conveyor housings 4 are brackets 5 which extend inwardly and support between them spray or drip pans 6. The spray pans 6 have bottoms 7 perforated over their entire area with a great number of small holes 8 preferably about diameter and spaced about apart.

Means is provided for continuously conveying skeins of yarn through the sprays beneath successive drip pans and resting on the cross-ties 2 are drip pans 9 which serve to collect the spray from the spray pans directly above them. Skein rods 10 on which are hung skeins 11 are rotatably supported'at their ends in rod holders 12 which are attached to the links of endless conveyor chains 13. The conveyor chains 13 travel through the housings 3 and 4 and-are supported upon idler sprockets 14 in housings 15 at the feed end of the machine, and upon driven sprockets 16 in housings 17 at the discharge end. Only a few skein rods are shown, but it will be understood that a large number will be used in practice so that the upper run of the conveyor will be filled throughout its length with closely spaced skein carrying rods, workmen being stationed at the feed end of the conveyor to load the rods with skeins and place them on the., conveyor and other workmen being stationed at the discharge end of the conveyor to remove the skeins from the rods as the rods are delivered at the discharge endof the conveyor. Runout tracks 18 carried by the housings 17 serve to carry the skein rods as they are discharged from the conveyor chains 13, and until removed by workmen. H

Referring to Figs. 2 and 6, the sprockets 16 are mounted on horizontal shafts 19 which also carry worm gears 20, housed in gear cases 21 and driven by worms carried by vertical shafts 22 which terminate at their ower ends in housings 23 and are keyed to worm gears-24 insaid housings. The worm gears 24 are driven by worms 25 secured to a cross shaft 26 which midway between the worms 25 has a worm gear 27 which meshes with a worm 28 keyed to a'shaft 29, which is connected through a flexible coupling 30 to an electric motor 31, the worm wheel 27 and Worm 28 being enclosed in a suitable housing 32. Through the gearing above described,

the conveyor chains will be driven by the motor, in unison and at a very slow speed, due to the three worm gear reductions.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 15, the spray pans 40 are supplied with a solution of sodium sulphide through the pipes 41 connecting through valves 42 to the header 43. The spray from the spray pans 40 is collected m a single drip pan 44 and carried off by the pipe 45 to storage tanks 46. Extending t0 the bottom of eachstorage tank 46 is a suction pipe 47 connecting to a centrifugal pump 48 dischargingthrough a pipe 49 into the header 43. Suitable valves 50 are arranged in the connecting piping so that the solution maybe discharged into and withdrawn from either of the two tanks dosing chamber 51 feeds by gravity into each tank and by controllingthe proper valves, the solution may be maintained at the correct strength. It will be seen that the pans,

pumps, etc. form a closed system and as fast as the sodium sulphide is taken up by the skeins, fresh sodium sulphide may be added.

It will be noted that the sodium sulphide spray pans are located at the feed end of the machine. As the skeins pass horizontally between the spray pans 40 and the drip pans 44 they are exposed to the chemical action of the sodium sulphide solution descending in a spray vertically over and between the skeins.

After being treated with sodium sulphide, the skeins are subjected to a washing as they pass under the spray pans 52, 52, 52 52 and 52 Freshwater or water containing very dilute acid is supplied through the pipe 53 to the spray pan drip pan 54 and led through the pipe 55 to the centrifugal pump 56 where it is forced through the pipe 57 to the pipe 53 which in turn supplies the spray pan 52. It will be seen that the water entering through pipe 53 passes successively through the various spray pans 52, 52 52", 52 and 52, being returned from the corresponding drip pans by the centrifugal pumps 56, 56, 56 and 56. From the drip pan 54 the water now carrying considerable sodium sulphide in solution which has been Washed from the skeins passes to the sewer. in a direction counter to the flow of water from each successive pan to the next are continually encountering a fresher spray. Partitions 58, 58 58 and 58 divide the drip pans 54, 54, 54 and 54. Partition 58 is slightly lower than partitions 58 and partitions 58 and 58 are successively slightly lower than partition 58. This arrangement insures that in case any one drip pan should overflow, the water in the adjacent drip pan will be mixed with a more dilute rather than a moreconcentrated mixture of water and sodium sulphide solution carried over by the skeins. For this primary, washing, three sources of water supply are provided. It will be noted that pipe 53 is connected through suitable valves and fittings to a header 59 supplying fresh hard water and toa header 6O supplying soft water. Pipe 53 also connects to pipe 61 which receives its supply of water from a secondary washing to be described later. The pipes 53, 53 and 53 individually connect to both headers 59and 60. The flow of water sources is controlled by valves 62.

After being washed, the skeins pass under the spray pans 70.. A solution of a hypochlorite', preferably sodium hypochlorite in -Water is supplied to the pans by pipes 71 connected through valves 72 to the header 73. he spray from the spray pans 70 is collected ina single drip pan 74 and carried off bypipe 75 to storage tanks 76. Extending to thebottom of each storage tank 76 is a suction pipe 77 connecting to a centrifugal pump 78 which Meanwhile the skeins moving from any or all three 52. It is collected in the discharges through a pipe 79 into the header 7 3. Suitable valves 80 are arranged in the connecting piping so that the solution may be discharged into and withdrawn from either of the two tanks 76. A dosing chamber 81 feeds fresh hypochlorite solution into either tank 76. The apparatus for treating with chlorine also forms a closed system similar to that above described for the sulphide treatment.

Passing from under the spray pans 7 O, the skeins enter a spray of dilute hydrochloric acid in water from the spray pans 82. A drip pan 83 collects thespray which is carried off through pipe 84' to storage tanks 85 from which it is returned by pump 86 through pipe 87 and delivery pipes 88 into the spray pans 82. This apparatus forms a third closed system similar to those above described for the sulphide and hypochlorite solutions. At this stage, the bleaching operation has been com pleted but it remains to wash the skeins thoroughly and treat them with an oil mixture or emulsion.

The second washing takes place undei spray pans 90, 90, 90*, 90, 90 90? and 90. Either fresh hard water or soft water is supplied by either the header 59 or header 60 to the spray pans 90 and 90 through pipes 91 and 91. Under the spray'pan 90 is a drip pan 92 connecting through a pipe 93 to a pump 94 which discharges into .the pipe 61. As the skeins receive their final washing under the spray pan 90, the spray contains a very small amount of impurities and is quite suitable for use in the primary washing stage performed under spray pans 52, 52, 52", 52 and 52 Under the spray pan 90 is drip pan 92 connecting through pipe 93 to a. pump 94: which discharges through a pipe 95 into a pipe 91*. Water entering through the pipe 91 passes successively through the spray pans 90 90 and 90, 90 and 90 being returned to the next preceding pan by the pumps 94 through 3 the pipes 95*. The drip pans 92, 92, 96, 96

and 96 and 96 have partitions which progressively increase in height toward the discharge end of the conveyor so that if there is an overflow of liquid, itwill be from the pans containing more dilute solutions, as described in the case of partitions 58, 58, 58 and 58. A drain-pipe .93 discharges water to sewer and may beof a size to maintain the liquid at 'a relatively low level in the drip pan 92.-

After the second .washing, the skeins are treated with a spray composed of a mixture or emulsion of suitable oil and water to render the fibres of the skeins less brittle and make them more pliable." This is done under spray pans 100 adjacent the discharge end ofthe conveyor and the spray from pans 100 is collected by drip pans 101. The liquid from the pans 101 is carried off through a pipe 102 to two storage tanks 103 and is-returned to v pans 100 by a pump 104 through a pipe 105 to strength.

system. A dosing tank 108 is provided for adding additional oil as required to the tanks 103 to maintain the mixture at the proper Referring to Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the conveyor chains 13 are made up of carrier links 110 and intermediate links 111 connected by pins 112. Mounted on pins 112 and between intermediate links 111 are rollers 113 which are free to rotate. Attached to the carrier links 110 are the rod holders 12. Each rod holder is provided with rollers 114: and 115 which are so disposed as to support and maintain in position the end of a skeinrod 10 while at the same time allowing the skein rod to turn freely around its longitudinal axis. Journaled in each side ofthe rod holders 12 are rollers 116. The conveyor chains 13 move from the feed end to the discharge end of the machine within the lower and upper conveyor housings 3 and 4 respectively, the rollers 113 rolling upon a horizontal track 117 in the housing 4. Passing from the discharge end back to the feed end, the conveyor chains 13 are supported and guided by channel-*bar (track members 118 which are arranged back to back and extend the full length of the machine. The track members 118 are spaced apart suflici ently to receive therod holders 12 between them and the rollers 116 which roll upon the tops of the track members 118 take the weight of the return runs of the chains 13., reliev the ,tension on the chains and reduce friction to a minimum.

The skein rods 10 are so constructed as to be of light weight and as herein shown are made of hard rubber vulcanized to a core of seamless steel tubing 119, as shown in Fig.-

9. The ends of each'skein rod which are received in the holders 12 are capped with metal' rugation's 121 extending throughout the length of the skein receiving portion of the rod and at the end of the corrugated portions, the rod is provided ,with a circumferential rib 122 forming a drip shoulder to prevent the liquidfrom flowing alon the rod to the bearing portionsthereof. On each skein rod between the )collar 122 and the sleeve 120. there is an enlarged cylindrical portion 123 which is provided with a knurled surface for a purpose to be presently described.

- In order to obtain uniform chemical action in all parts of each skein, my invention provides that each skein rod as it passes horizonon its axis, first in one direction and then in the reverse direction, but with certain intervals of time during which the skein rods 'are. at rest in the r respective rod holders.

tally through the machine is slowly revolved per and lower track members 124 lie above and below the rods 12 andto each track member 124 are secured two friction pads 125 with an open space between them. The track members 124 are arranged alternately above and'below the skein rods and the friction pads 125 ,on successive track members engage the knurled portions 123 of .the skein rods as the skein rods pass over or under them to impart rotative movements to the rods. As the skein rods are mounted to turn freely on the rollers 114 and 115 the engagement of the knurled portions 123 with the friction pads will cause the skein rods to rotate at a speed proportionate to the speed of travel of the conveyor chain. c,

As will beseen from Fig. 8, each skein rod has a period of rotation around its axis in one direction due to engagement with the friction pads on one of the two oppositely disposed track members, then an interval of rest while the rod passes the space between the pads on the track members, followed by a second period of rotation in the same direction while the rod is engaging the second pad. After another interval of rest during passage of the rod from one track member to the next,

the direction of rotation is reversed fora period, then followed by an interval of rest,-

then continued rotation in the same direction for a period. A'complete cycle includes two rotational movements in one direction,

two rotational movements in a reverse direction and four of intervals of rest. The

amount of rotational movement depends on,

the lenqth of the friction pads and should preferably be such that in traversing one friction pad, a skein will be revolved onefourth of its circumferential length or from point 126 to point 127 as indicated in Fig. 8.

It has, been found that unless the rotation of the skein rods in one direction, is kept within certain limits, there is a tendency for the strands of yarn to become tangledilresulting' in waste even though the 'skeins ave been tied with cord 128 before loading on the skein rods. The periods of rest between successive rotative movements is advantageous for the reason'that the liquid flowing rapidly through and over the skeins tends to straighten out and separate any threads which may have been caught in an adjacent skein during rotative movements.

Referringto Figs. 13 and 14, a modified form of spray pan is shown which is provided with a battle having a flat top 129 and side and end portions 130 and 131 which slope downwardly and outwardly from the top 129. A skirt 132 is formed with the lower edges ofthe side and end portions 130 and 131, to which legs 133 are attached, the legs 133 being secured to the bottom or sides of the spray pan. Where such a bafile is used, the flow of liquid from the pipe 41 discharging down on the top 129 of the baflie is deflected and spread out before reaching the liquid in the spray pan proper with the result that there is a much more uniform spray than ,would be the case if pipe 41 discharged directly against the bottom of the spray pan.

This type of spray pan is particularly useful for the sulphide and oil for the reason that these liquids have a tendency to foam which is to a large extent prevented by bafiles such as above described.

To facilitate the loading of the rods with skeins of yarn at the receiving end of the conveyor, a supporting bracket 134 is provided on one of the sprocket housings 15. This bracket is disposed horizontally and has a socket 135 of a size to receive the sleeved end of a rod and has a bearing portion 136 outwardly of the socket to receive the knurled portion 123 of the rod to support the same in a position projecting angularly out from the end of the conveyor so that workmen may readily arrange skeins of yarn on the rod and quickly lift the rod out of the socket and place the same in holders 12 on the conveyor chain.

In the operation of the machine, the skein rods are loaded with yarn at the receiving end of the machine and placed in the successive rod supporting bearings on the conveyor chains. The slowly driven conveyor chains move the skein rods beneath the successive spray pans and throughout their travel the rods are intermittently rotated by the friction pads which are so arranged as to impart two rotative movements in the same direction with a' dwell between them and then two similar rotative movements in the opposite directions. Since the skein rods are supported close together on the conveyor chains, threads of a skein on one rod might adhere to threads of a skein on an adjacent rod during a rotative movement so that the threads would be pulled out of their normal positions. If rotation were continuous or of a considerable angular extent, this would result in the yarn becoming badly tangled, but by making the rotative movements relatively short and pro viding a dwell between rotative movements, tangling of the yarn is avoided, since the liquid of the spray flowing rapidly and in large volume through and over the skeins of yarn acts to straighten out and separate the threads during the intervals in which the skein rods are not turning.

VVaste of chemicals is prevented in so faras possible by collecting and returning the solution to the spray pans after it has passed through the yarn on the conveyor and in order to maintain a continuous flow, storage tanks for the chemical solutions are provided from drip pans are which the liquid is pumped to the spray pans and to which the liquid is returned from the drip pans.

Preferably two storage tanks are provided in connection with each spray pan delivering a chemical solution so that one storage tank may be used while the additional liquid is supplied to the other together with suflicient additional chemical to bring the solution up to the desired strength, the chemical being supplied from the dosing chamber associated with the storage tanks. In this manner each spray is kept in continuous operation and each solution is maintained at the proper strength. Y

After passing through the sulphide spray and again after passing through the acid spray, the yarn is thoroughly washed in sprays which may be connected either to hard or soft water mains as desired or which may receive a desired mixture of hard and soft water. In order to economize in the use of water for the cleansing sprays, the spray and divided into a series of compartments by transyerse partitions and pumps I from the drip pan of are provided for progressively circulating the water through the compartments in the direction opposite that in which the yarn is moving so that the pure water acts on skeins of yarn passing out from under the spray pans, is collected in the forward compartment of the drip pan and is then pumped to the compartment of the spray pan next to the rear of the forward compartment, the water passing successively through the compartments of the spray and drip pans and being finally discharged to the sewer from the rearmost compartment of the drip pan. Thus the. water discharged to the sewer contains a maximum quantity of impurities washed from the yarn and the yarn in passing through the washing spray is acted upon by water which gradually becomes purer as the yarn advances. It is advantageous to have a very slight amount of acid in the water employed for washing the sulphide solution from the yarn and this can'be advantageously supplied by pumping a small quantity of the wash water the. final washing spray by means of the pump 94. All supply p pes leading to the spray pans and all return lpes from the drip pans to the storage ta s as well as all of the pipes leading from the dosing chambers to the tanks are valve controlled so that in all points in the system, the rate of flow of water or solution can be accurately regulated.

' It will be apparent that the present invention provides an apparatus for bleaching yarn which operates continuously and at a relatively rapid rate, which is capable of treating a large quantity of yarn and which is so operated that the yarn is subjected to .p

uniform treatment. Furthermore, the present invention provides a continuously o r ating mechanical system in which each 0 the chemical treatments may be regulated independently of the others and in which the strength of the solutions employed in each'of the various steps of the process may be maintained with a minimum of variation from a predetermined standard. In addition, the manual labor incident to loading and unloading the skein rods is greatly lightened by providing skein rods of very light weight which are easily handled and the power required for operation of the conveyor is reduced to a minimum by providing roller lower runs thereof.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that supports for the chains throughout both the upper and be made without departing from m'yinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is: i

1. In apparatus of the character described,

a pair of laterally spaced parallel guideways, supporting members mounted to travel in said guideways skein rods rotatably mounted on said mem ers and extending across the space between said guideways, means for simultaneously moving said supporting mem-, bers along said I uideways, and stationary members with wh ch said rods engage during their travel for imparting rotative' movementsto said rods.

2. In apparatus of the character described, p

a pair of laterally spaced parallel guideways,

supporting members mounted to travel in said guideways ed on said mem ers space between said guideways, means for simultaneously moving said supporting members along said guideways, and stationary members adjacent said guideways and posltioned at intervals along the len th thereof, some above and some below sai rods, said skein rods rotatably mount-' and extending across the t members engaging said rods during theirv travel to impart rotative movements thereto first in one direction and then in a reverse direction.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of laterally spaced parallel guideways,

supporting members mounted to travel in said guideways, each supporting member having a concave bearing seat, skein rods adapted to extend acrossthe space between said guideways and having cylindrical end portions adapted to fit in said seats, means for simultaneously moving said supporting members along said guideway, and a series of stationary friction pads along one of said guideways engaging said rods during their travel to imart rotative movements thereto.

4. In apparatus of the character described,

a pair of laterally spaced parallel guideways, supporting members mounted to travel in said guideways, each supporting member having a concave bearing seat, skein rods adapted to extend across the space between said guideways and having cylindrical end portions adapted to fit in said seats, said rods having enlarged portion inwardly of said seats, means for simultaneously moving said supporting members along said guideways, and a series of friction pads of elastic material extending along a guideway and engaging with the enlarged portions of the rods during their travel to impart rotative movements thereto.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a pair of laterally spaced parallel guideways, supporting members mounted to travel in said guideways, rollers carried by said supporting members, skein rods adapted to extend across the space between the guideways and having end portions rotatably supported on said rollers, friction pads of elastic material mounted at intervals along the length of a guideway in positions to engage the rods in their travel along the guideways for imparting rotative movements to the rods, and means for. simultaneously moving the supporting members in the two guideways in the same direction and at equal speeds.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of laterally. spaced parallel guideways, supporting members mounted to travel in said guideways, skein rods rotatably mounted in said supporting members and extending across the space between the guideways, said rods having enlarged cylindrical portlons adjacent the ends thereof, provided with roughened surfaces, means for moving said supporting members simultaneously and at equal speeds, and track members alongside the guideways above and below the rods, said track members having at spaced points thereon friction pads of elastic material engageable with the enlarged portions of said rods to impart rotative movements thereto.

In apparatus of the character described, a pair of laterally spaced parallel guideways, supporting members mounted to travel in said guideways, skein rods rotatably mounted in said supporting members and extending across the space between the guideways, means for moving said-supporting members along the guideways simultaneously and at equal speeds, and means acting on said rods during their travel for imparting thereto a plurality of intermittent rotative movements in one direction followed by an equal number of intermittent rotative movements in the opposite direction.

8. v In apparatus of the character described, an endlesschain having a horizontal run, a second endless chain having a horizontal run parallel with the horizontal run of the first chain, bearing members carrier by said chains, skein rods having end portions adapted to be detachably and rotatably supported in said bearing members along the horizontal run, means for driving said chains at equal speeds and in the same direction, and means engageable with said rods during the travel thereof for imparting rotative movements thereto firstin one direction and then in the other.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a supporting frame, a pair of laterally spaced endless conveyor chains mounted on said frame, sprockets at the ends of said frame over which said chains run, tracks along opposite sides of the frame upon which the upper runs of said chains are supported, bearing members attached to links of said chain, said bearing members projecting above the chains 

